Faculty within the Russ College of Engineering recently evaluated Dean Dennis Irwin. About one third of the faculty responded to the study, but 44 percent of that one third spoke loud and clear by suggesting a study be conducted to decide Irwin's reappointment as dean. This does not come off as extremely surprising, after the plagiarism scandal, a professor arrested for alleged cocaine distribution and lawsuits from an industrial accident.
However, it appears that Shawn Ostermann, interim CIO and chair of the electrical engineering department, won't accept the results. Ostermann sent a not-so-subtle e-mail to electrical engineering and computer science faculty, expressing incredulity that faculty were unhappy with Irwin's performance while recommending they sign a petition to conduct another review.
Can it be possible that a third of us feel that he is NOT being an effective leader? Ostermann asked. Could it be possible that nearly every single comment was negative?
Why, yes, it CAN be possible. It CAN even be possible that the number of unhappy faculty is higher, but they fear they could be singled out in an e-mail should they decide to write negative comments about Irwin.
But it is NOT a good idea to send faculty members a veiled threat about why they should fill out the survey to overwhelm those who doubt Irwin's ability as dean. That likely will skew future results, should another review be conducted.
While more responses would have made the survey stronger or perhaps even changed its direction, it would be wrong to entirely discount the review. Ostermann is off-base with this e-mail. It seems he refuses to believe that faculty might disapprove of Irwin. Instead of advocating for more surveys, in hopes of finally getting the one he wants, Ostermann should listen to what faculty have to say ' and maybe conduct that study about Irwin's reappointment. If he truly is confident that Irwin is an effective leader, a study would only confirm that.
Anything less would NOT be acceptable.Editorials represent the majority opinion of the Post executive editors.
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Threatening undertone in e-mail about Irwin could skew possible future evaluations of dean
